2023-09-22 2023 CRC Section 106 Waiaka Bridge_signed

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Andrew J. Hirano State of Hawaii, Dept of Transportation Page 2 September 22, 2023 responsibilities. As of publishing time, the potential impacts described in the FEA should be considered cursory as they have not been coordinated with Section 106 consulting parties. Based on previous and current documentation of the historic and archaeological resources and the impacts to Sites 29221 and 22632, the proposed project is anticipated to have "Adverse effect" under 36 CFR 800.5 and "Effect, with proposed mitigation commitments" under HAR 13-275-7. At this time, possible mitigation measures are limited to data recovery at Site 22632 (e.g., high-resolution mapping of the site using LiDAR and/or the recovery of macro- and microbotanical remains from within the fields and field ridges)and architectural recordation(HAER Level I or II)of Site 29221. In accordance with Hawaii County Code Section 2-44 and the Rules of Practice and Procedure for the Cultural Resources Commission, the following comments and recommendations are hereby transmitted for consideration: • The Cultural Resources Commission underscored the importance of and recommends having a cultural and archaeological monitor on site during field work and construction. The CRC makes the request of the SHPO to assign such a monitor as part of mitigative commitments. • While the Wai`aka bridge is not being rehabilitated in accordance with Secretary of Interior Standards,the Cultural Resource Commission finds that the proposed reconstruction of the railing design as a treatment is sympathetic to the original bridge's railing design 2. The CRC also confirmed Wai`aka' is the appropriate name of the bridge. • In addition to the proposed mitigative treatments(i.e.,recovery&recordation),the Cultural Resources Commission recommends that interpretative signage be considered as a mitigative treatment within the APE. Interpretative signage content may include Hawaiian etymology, historical,cultural understanding of the Wai`aka stream and connected water courses,the ecosystems and biocultural resources they support,the landscape(s)that a pedestrian or passerby are visiting or viewing as they traverse the bridge,or other culturally or historically appropriate content as may be received from consulting or concurring parties,Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHO)and/or Hawaiian descendants,or other individuals and organizations involved in the Section 106 process. • The Cultural Resources Commission recommends that the internal area of the roundabout (approximately 1,520 square feet)be considered for landscaping treatment that includes native groundcover and at least one native specimen tree. The approximately 1,520 square foot area could provide root zone for several different non-invasive tree species with diameters at breast height(DBH)up to 12-14 inches. Finally,as pertains to the above and in accordance with HRS 92-5.5,the CRC also moved and voted at the September 13,2023,regular meeting,to form a Permitted Interaction Group(PIG) (Le., subcommittee)for the purpose of a site visit with HDOT project team. Specifically,as related to the proximity of the temporary bridge,rights of way,existing lava stone walls, and burial areas or riparian- related cultural resources. It was agreed that a site visit can be scheduled once initial surveying and markings are completed on-site at a date and time to be determined,prior to filing the NEPA CatEx and pending right of way establishment by HDOT. Please contact Hawaii County Cultural Resources staff at CRC&hawaiicouniy.gov to coordinate and arrange the requested site visit with the subcommittee. Subsequent to the site visit,a(site visit)report will be developed and presented at a regular CRC meeting. 2 The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties:Reconstruction as a Treatment and Standards for Reconstruction 'Hawai`i Board on Geographic Names.Hawaiian Place Names Project-Hawai`i Island(October 22,2018)